Religious attitudes to Animal Rights – what do we need to know?

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You should know these!

• Animal Experiments - Testing on animals, either for medical or cosmetic purposes, to ensure that the product is safe for use by humans

• Cloning - The scientific method which animals or plants can be created which have exactly the same genetic make-up as the original, because the DNA of the original is used

• Extinction - When all members of a species have died out and the species will never exist again

• Free-range Farming - Farming that allows the animals to roam free and behave naturally

• Fur Trade - The business of farming or hunting wild animals for their fur to be made into clothing

• Genetic Modification - Plants and animals that have had their natural make up already altered by scientists

• Ivory Trade - The sale of ivory from elephants’ tusks, often illegally• Responsibility - Duty: the idea that we are in charge of our own

actions• Sanctity of life - Life is sacred because it is God given• Vegetarianism - The belief held by people who do not eat meat• Vegan - A person who will not use any animal product• Vivisection – Testing on animals causing unnecessary suffering

Use and Abuse of animals- Animals are kept in poor

conditions- Mistreated- Animals are hunted and

tortured for their fur/ivory etc

- Used to carry heavy goods

BUT:- Humans benefit (testing

medicines, entertainment)

- Animals have skills humans don't

Religious ViewsChristianity- All life is sacred- God created all life- God gave humans

stewardship

Islam- It is taught that animals

must not be beaten or overworked.

Buddhism- believe that life is as

precious to every animal as it is to humans.

Arguments For and Against Animal Testing

For- Testing important part of

medical research.- Many drugs used today have

been tested on animals e.g. discovery of vitamins or how to treat diabetes.

- Creates a safe medicine/procedure to be used on humans.

- Reduces human suffering.- Kill animals for food and use

them for other purposes to suit humans.

- Animals are for human use.

Against- Animals are sentient

creatures and feel pain.- Exploiting animals for

human benefit. - Can use alternatives e.g.

computer programmes.- Human guinea pigs; people

are prepared to volunteer. - “Let the law of kindness

know no limits”.- It does not always work,

animals are human models.

- End animal suffering.

Religious Views about Animals• Humans are the most important part of God’s

creation, and have the responsibility of ruling over the animals and controlling them.

• Animals are not thought to have a soul and so therefore no relationship with God.

• Jesus healed a man that was being tormented by an evil spirit, he did this by sending the evil spirit into a heard of pigs – Jesus used the pigs for mans’ benefit.

• Christians believe that as rulers over the animals it is acceptable to use animals for human benefit.

• The Catholic Church says that, “Medical and scientific experimentation is morally acceptable, if used to care for or save a life.”

• The Church of England says that, “Animals can be used in all experimentation as long as suffering is kept to a minimum.”

What the religions have to say about animals . . .

Noah was told to save the animals

from the flood showing the worth of all

animals

The world belongs to Allah

the creator. Those who are

cruel to animals will answer to

AllahThey believe in

the sanctity of life for all. All living

things were created by God. The God’s have animals that act as their vehicles.

VegetarianismArguments For:- Treatment of animals when used for food

(factory farming)- Animals are a part of God’s creation just like

humans

Arguments Against- Humans have control over animals so can

use them for food- Some animals are breed for food

Human intelligence and animal instinct

• Humans have the ability to make decisions, form opinions and consider the consequences of their actions.

• Animals behave according to their instincts to survive, eat and reproduce.

• Humans have intelligence that allows them to read, write, understand ideas and communicate their opinions.

• Animals may have the ability to communicate with others but do not give reasons for what they think.

Answering 6 mark questions

• You should not spend longer than 10 minutes on this question. It requires you to state and explain a range of views about the statement.

• A possible answer could include: A very brief introduction that shows you know the

keyword e.g. animal testing is . . . . Me = what do you think about the statement and why give

a reason why you either agree, disagree or are not sure Agree = would Christians/Buddhists/atheists agree with

the statement? Why? e.g. Bible, Jesus, Buddha, karma, no God etc. How do they behave/act because of this belief.

Disagree = would Christians/Buddhists/atheists agree with the statement? Why? e.g. Bible, Jesus, Buddha, karma, no God etc. How do they behave/act because of this belief.

Finally = try to conclude by saying ‘To sum up . . . . . . . . Try to do a quick plan before you actually start!